Article-dispensing apparatus



Jan. 6, 1931. F. N. RoEHRlcH ETAL ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9. 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 WW SNQNA Jan. 6, 1931. F. N. RoEHRlcH ET AL.

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9. 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 6, 1931. F. N. Rol-:HRICH ET AL ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9, 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 HylnNA Jan. 6, 1931. F. N. RoEHRlcH ET AL ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9. 1929 8 Smm-sheet 4 f/m/r N. Rafa/fle# HL @LEV/NE cfm 09M* Jan. 6, 1931. F. N. RoEHRlcH ET AL 1,788,206

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9. 1929 a sheets-sheet 5 M E@ 39% u Si? ce fra/IDES Jam 6, 1931. F.. N. RoEHRlcH ET AL 1,788,206

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9. 1929 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Zv' l 35 94 95 l 51 lill! fdl 103 9E a g8 7 101 r Jan 5, 1931. F. N. RoEHRlcH ET AL 1,788,205

ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fned July 9. 1929 Jan. 6, 1931. F. N. RoEHRlcl-l ET AL ARTICLE DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed July 9. 1929 8 Sheets-@Sheet 8 Patented Jan. 6, 1931 ree stares FRANK n "RoEHRIcH ANn-ALX' LEVINE, on vJERSEY crm?, Nnvv Jnnsnz; SAID noEHR-ICH :essIGNOR To .SAID LEVINE ARTICLE--DISPENSING BLIEII'ARA'JTUSA Application filed AJuly 9,

registering or indicating the removal of each i succeeding article, which apparatus is particularly, though not exclusively, designedfor use in connection with retail sales of articles of relatively-high cost, such for example, as radio tubes.

The principal object of our invention is to 1o provide an apparatus having a manually-0perative delivery element by means of which articles may be consecutively withdrawn from a magazine to a position for convenient removal, and having also indicating or registering mechanism which is positively actuated as and when the delivery element, minus thc presented article, is returned to its receiving position with .relation to the magazine,

the construction and operation *being suchV that the said indicating or registering mechanism remains inactive if the delivery e1e' ment with the article imposed thereon should be returned to its receiving position in respect to the magazine. Hence, it the article when presented by the delivery element should be removed therefrom and the element then be returned to receiving position. ilzc. absence of the article Will be indicated or registered, but if, on the other hand. preparatory to the return of the element to its receiving position, the article should be allowed to remain on the delivery element, or should be removed and replaced thereon, no removal or sales indication Will be effected. Consequently provision is had whereby an efficient check on articles actually removed from and not returned to the magazine is ensured.

Vith this and other objects in View our invention embodies novel features of construction and operation, and combinations of parts `Which will be hereinafter described; the scope of the invention then being defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the' principle of our invention, the base being in section and the delivery mechanism being shown in closed or article receiving position.

Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section i929. serial No, 377,062. f

, throught-he :Fig 3 is av view similar to Fig. 1, but showingl the deliverymechanism in .its outward or delivery position, preparatory to the remov'al. of the" presented article.

Fig. 4 is aview similar to Fig. 3, from the opposite side of the apparatus, showing the yparts in their` relative positions after the removal of' the Iarticle and immediately before the inward or closing` movement'of the delivery' mechanism.- 1 l Figs. 5, Gand 7`are transverse horizontal sections, as on the lines f5--5;` 6 6 and 7 7, respectively, of Fig. 3. l'

Fig. 8 isa transversehorizontal section of the apparatus, immediately above the-base,

apparatus, aston the line 2-:2 of` i as on-the line 8-,8 'of Fig. 1. f

Fig. `8a is a vertical section through the front plate structure'of the carriage, as on the 1ine'8"-8a of Fig.f3.

'Fi g. 9 isa perspective view of the -restocking indicator.

Figs'. 10, 11 and 12 are skeleton perspectiveviews of locking and unlocking devices for the delivery mechanism, showing .such de vices in different relative positions which they are caused to assume.

Fig. 13 is a perspective ot a rearward loci;- iiig paal and co-operating devices therefor.

lig. 14 vis a sectional elevationof the cani and .lever mechanism for actuating and controlling theoperation ot a vertical recita-ocative register controlling elementwhich is included iu the delivery mechanism.

F 15 is a transverse vertical section. as

n the line 15--15 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 1G is a fragmentary plan of latch cont-rolling devices for the register controlling element.

Fig. 17 is a longitudinal vertical section. as on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a partial front elevation of an apparatus equipped with a series of independent'deliverymechanisms, each en'ib0dying' the invention.v

Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are sectional elevations illustrating counting and registering mechanism and operating devices therefor, which devices are .Shown le ,succeedim.r D0' sitions that they are caused to assume at di'erent intervals of operation of the delivery mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, designates a supporting framework of suitable shape and size for its intended purpose. I-n the present instance this framework is a skeleton structure including a rectangular base frame having upstandinffv corner posts 26 to which side casing panels may b eisecured'.. The base includes a pair of parallel longitudinally slotted bars 27 extending from side to side of the base. Upon these bars vare supported att-he front of the framework a Aseries -of vertical magazines, each of which is designed to contain a stack of'fcartons C of uniform size, the lowerinost cart-on being supported a suitable: distance above the base.` Each 'of the magazines lincludes front and 'rear pairs of vertical Abars 28, 29, respectively, rising from a pair'of spaced longitudinally slotted cross-bars 30 having angle pieces 31 which extend transversely of and rest upon 'the slotted base bars v27.

The angle-pieces are secured 1n place by means of bolts 280 Y passing through the slots 2.90ct the bars 27,

and hence by proper manipulation of the `bolts the bars 30 can be released and the bars 29 of the magazine are secured in place by bolts 32 passing through the slots 33 of t-he cross-bars 30. so that by proper manipulation of the bolts the bars 30 can be released and adjusted toward or from the front bars. and then secured in proper position to accommodate cartons of different length. rl`he front of the framework 25 is equipped with hinged doors 34 which may be opened for access to the magazines, or any of them. as need may require. which doors are preferably provided with glass panels 35 through which the contents of the magazines may be observed. (See Figs. 8 and 18) Fach of the magazines constitutes a preferred form of means whereby articles are successively supplied to manually operative article delivery mechanism hereinafter described.

Located in the space beneath each of the magazines is a stationary frame structure which extends from the front to the back of the base. which struct-ure preferably includes a pair of spaced parallel side plates Btnand also a base plate 37 which rests upon the slotted cross-bars 27 of the supporting frame base. The base plat-e 37 is secured in place by bolts 38 passing through the slots 290 of the bars 27, and hence by proper manipulation of the bolts 38 the stationary frame can be adjusted longitudinal-- ...from tl1e.magaz ine,wl1ich mechanisms include af'vertically movable register control- 'ling e1ement,which determines the operative `position,`ofaftrip element of a counter or registering mechanism when any article is .withdrawnifremfthe magazine and not returned thereto, as will be presently eX- Plainedq* y V #The 'carriagjra4 in ts'preferred construction, includes a frontendportion 139 afixe'd to `avertical-.plate 390ft'o-'whichis' fastened a rectangular face-plate 40 ofsuitable vshape and size to clioseth'e 'front ofthe space below the adjacent'magazinei'- -Ilxtending inwardly from the plate 390, about th'lmidsection thereof, is aY horizontal':longitudinally slot- Vrted bar-400 which is 4fitted in guides 4l in the sides of the stationary frame.' (See Figs. 2, 3 and 4). The forward 'plate 390- 'has secured 'thereto a longitudinallyfslotted lhorizontal sheltf `-p'late 44 "which fextends :in a plane above the bar 40G-fthe relative. 'positions of'itheparts being such that when the carriage -is :in its inward' position, the unsl'otted portion .ofthe shelf plate '44 -adfjacent the forward/plate 390'li'es directlyr -under the magazine'arfdaffords' a Supportfor the lowermost. cartoaof'the superposed stack. (See Fig. 1).

The shelf plateiis mounted on` theplate 390 so as to be vertically vadjustable to accommodate cartons of different heights.. Accordingly the forward end of the shelf plate is provided with abend or flange 410 which is secured to thel plate 390 by means ot' a bolt 420 passing through a vertical slot Q1 in the latter plate. (See Figs. 1 2 and 3).

Vertical side extension plates 430 for the front'p'late 4() are slidably fitted between the latter and` the plate-390, so as to be laterally adjustable correspondingly with the adjustment of the magazine standards 28. 29. The extension plates have a'fiixed thereto` about the middle thereof, av series of spaced crossfbars'440, whereof the bars of one platev overlap the other plate and are sl-idably fitted between yfixed guide bars 441 on the plate 390, thus ensuring 'the support and guidance of the extension plates. (See Fig. 8.) Preferably the extension-plates are provided adjacent their respective .ends'with similar cross-bars which overlap the respective plates and contri-bute to 'their support 'and guida-nce; These extension plates, which ,are clamped in their positions'of adjustment by screws 450 connecting the lplates 390, 4()1 support.. near theirtop's, parallel lateral guide .c

' ing rotatahle'throngh anarc of 180.

rails'42-wliioliextend inward and are slid- 'rble'in horizontalguide b'arsl43'on the adjacent'yerti'calstandards 2 8", 29, below the maglazine.` Thus 'the 'guide' `'ba-rs 43 are "laterally 4adjusted by'and witli `the`plates' 43() toaccord Vwit-l1" the'spaced relation'of the standards'QS. In"t h pre-sent' instance the forward endsof the' hars' 43 are"i"'ormed with angle bends which 'are' engaged with V11p-standing tongues 450 on the respectie plates 43.0." 'I The i'ertically-morable Eregister controlling e1en1ent,which, is mounted oiiaiid niovable horizo1itally-wit-h the gcarriage, 'coniprises" a T-sliaped body, 'whereof the horizontal topf'ba-r lies some distance.v below the top of the'article supportingr shelf when the 'element- 'is in its down lposition', as seen in D. This top bar' terminates in independlng forward'inemher 45'whicl1 1s spaced 'a 'suitable distance inwardly from the front plate 390 to permit the. member to be moved -vertically back of and close tothe cartoxisupported'on the shelf: `I The topbar is preferably made in two sections, whereof the forward section 46, embodying the member 45, 1s adjustable toward or from'the front'of t-he magazine correspondingly with the adjust- 'me'nt of the rear bars 2 9. To this end, the rearward section 47 islongitudinall)v slotted "vertically, as at 4S, lto receive the tail o' the forward section, and is horizontally slotoolts '50; (See Figs. 3 and 5.)

The lower end of the Vertical leg 51 o'f the element isv pivotally connected,:'a`s 'at 52,' to

the lo'wer ends 1) fof two corresponding pairs of' inclined parallel links 5?, the upper forward ends of which links are. in turn, piyoted, as at 54,' to and between depending,T ears 55 at the forward ends of the hars 4.00, the lower ends of which pair of links are provided with suitable space blocks 5G.

with a roll G1 which hears against the cam.'

surface 62 of a cam wheel G3 fast on a horizent-al shaft 64- having its bearings in the plates 390. 40. said shaft and' cam wheel he- (See Figs. 14.15). The caniwheel'is proyided with a radial 'stnd'GS which co-acts with snitably-located stops'G to determine the limits ot rotation of the shaft 64.' The free end of this shaft projects beyond the front plate 40 vand i'sprovided with a'snitable handle '67 to facilitate the' manual operation of the shaft and also the ontwa-rd and inward movements of thecarriage and' its appurtenances.: The

weightof the. register :controlling element 51 'etc.,`"plus that ofthe inclined links, tends to maintain 'theroll 61 in operative contact with Athe cam'surface 62,'the contour of which sur- The lower hlocl: is formed with a de-- pending arm 57 which is connected by means "face is 'such as to elect'by thepartial rotation of the cam wheel 63 in one direction the positive Vertical raising' o`t-he register controllinglelement through' the 'medium of the' 'lever fpo'rtion e390 of-the' carriage' and vin' a bracket GS depending from 'tlielrear' of thev carriage extends therethronghf. and. that when such structiir. 'is i'nits"ontwardpositionlthe rear- 5 wardf ronnd'lportion'l 'of= the t shaft extends throiigh the opening, as seen .in Figsi 3 and 4,

and link connections; in which position it Amafy m I'rianfeisin its f inward posltion, as"seenz i`n Fig. 1, the forward roun 4portlonof the shaft: 90

thus permitting semi-rotation of the .shaftffos when the carriage is at eitherflimit of its 1onted,`as at 49. to receive securing screws or ing 72, 'thus preventingrottive';riitnflofrf the "sh aft." Thel lforwardend of. the shaft' 69 vided with coacting gear's 73,'174, respectively, whereby when the handle 67:of the :latter shaft is' properly turned'. "at either limit of travel of the carriage, fthe motion 'is transmitted to the sha-ft 69, and at thesame time the longitudinal backward or forwardztravel of the carriage, as the case may be, can be effected unless' such travel be -restrained'by suitable locking devices. See Figs. 1, 3 and 4). The locking' devicesherein-shown, 1nclude a'peripherally notched disk 75 which Vis afiixed'to the rearward portion of the shaft 69, and is adapted to be engaged by two 'relatively fixed locking. dogs 76.77 located respectively in the vicinity'of the rearward and-forward positions of the disk 75.A

The rearwarddog 76`is'pivot'ed, as at 78, to one side of the' stationary frame and has in its upper edge Va vertical notch`79 at the hase of an inclined nose portion 80. This dogl is resiliently Supported in the path of the lower edge ofthedisk 75 by a`suitablydisposed' spring '81,"and isso located that as lthe carriage 'approaches its 'rearward limit of travel the disk'rides upon and depresses the nose ofthe dog until-the disk reaches the notch, 79, whereupon-the dog snaps upward and engages the disk, as seen in Fig. 10.A The notch 800 in the disk is so located that 'when the shaft 64 is partially turned by a contraclockwise movement' of the handle 67 the notch 4registers with the under edge of the dog.l as seen in Fig. 11, thus freeing the disk from the locking eii'ect of the dog and permitting the carriage to be pulled forward by means of the handle, as in Figs. 3 and 4.

The forward dog 77 is pivoted, as at 82, to a bracket 83 fast to one of the side bars 36 of the stationary frame and has in its under edge a notch 84 adjacent anv inclined portion 85. This dog normally gravitates into the path of the upper edge of the disk 75 and is lso located that as the carriage approaches its forward limit of travel the' disk rides under so as to co-act with the depending nose of the.

and raises'the opposing dog until the disk reaches the notch 84, whereupon the dog descends and engages the disk, as seen in Fig. 3.

When the shaft 64 is properly turned by a clockwise movement of the handle 67 the notch 800 of the disk registers with the notch 84 of the dog 77, as seen in Fig. 4, thus freeing the disk from the locking effect of the dog and permitting the carriage to be pushed rearward, as in Fi". 1.

Mounted in a Sultahle bearing in the rear of the carriage bar 400 is a vertical shaft 86 to which is ailiXed a radial latch arm '87'operable, b v proper rotative movement of the shaft.I to be swung under or from the lower end of the leg 51 of the register controllingr element when lsuch element is in raised position. A torsional spring 88 encircling the shaft- 86 and having one end secured to the bracket 68 and the other end extending into van aperture in the latch arm, tends normally to maintain the shaft with its latch arm in locking position. (See Fig. 17).

Fast on the upper end of the shaft 86 is a head 89 having two spaced 11p-standing lugs 90, 91. The lug 90 constitutes a crank member actnable to effect. the movement of the shaft to .set the latch arm 87 temporarily in unlocking relation to the leg 51, and the other lug 91 eo-acts with a suitably-disposed latch rod 92 to lock the shaft 86 with its latcharm in outer or releasing position against the action of the spring 88, if and when the lowcrmost carton is withdrawn from the stack and removed from the machine. as will be hereinafter described.

The angular relation of the Crank lug 90 to the axis of the shaft 86 is such that as the carriage approaches the limit of its rearward travel the lr-.gpasses nuclei' the latch head 93 of a do;r 94 which is pivoted, as at 95. to one side 36 of the stationary frame. (See Figs.

1 and 10.) The corner of the lug 90 adjacent the lat-'ch head is inclined or beve-lied, as at 96,

relation to the leg 51. On the lower part of the shaft 86 is alaterally projecting stud 97 which is adapted to be engaged by a springpressed notched .dog 98'when the -latch arm 87 is swung outward,-thus locking the arm 87 in outer position. This-dog is pivoted, as at 99, on the depending bracket 68 of the carriage bar 400, and is provided with a laterally extending toe 100 under which rides, at the limit of the semi-rotation of the shaft to unlock the disk from the forward dog 77, a suitably-disposed peripheral stud 101 on a collar 102 fastonthez shaft 69. l vThus the dog 98 isv raised and i's so helduntil the shaft 69 is moved rearward' and the .disk is engaged with the rearward locking dog 76, as seen in Fig. 10. Y At thisfstage the squared portion of the shaft is clean .ofthe 'bearing 71.= VHence the shaft 69 can bie-.partially rotated by actuationof-t-he handle 67 so as-to Vraise the register controlling element, and position V'theV notch 800'ofthefdisk75 inf register with thc notch ofthe dog 76 preparatory to the act of pulling the carriade forward to deliver a A a. D

article at the front of the machine.

In the'initialg turning of the shaft 69 the stud 101 escapes the toe 'ofthe dog 98, whereupon the forward notched-portion of the dog hears on the lateral stud'97 of the shaft 86. thus permitting such dog to engage the stud 97 and lock the shaft 86 with its latch arm 87 in outer position when the crank lug 90 is actuated by the head of the dog 94 in the initial forward movement'of the carriage, as will presentlyiappear. (See Fig. ill.) In

the initial-forward'movement of the carriage;

until the carriage has reached the limit of its.

forward travel.v v

In this forward travel the lowermost. car- Aai;

ton of the stack rests upon the forward portion of the shelf plate 44, in front of the vertical member of the register controlling ele-- end. as at 104. to the carriage plate 390. The

lower end of the arm is ljointed to the horizontal latch-rod 92 previously referred to. which rod is slidably supported adjacent its free end in lugs 204 on the carriage bar 400, and is urged rearwardly by means of a suitablydisposed' spring 105 encircling the rod. (See Fig-1.) In the absence of a carton on thejl shelf the free end of the rod 92 is normallyv pressed toward and across the `top of the crank-head 89,-at one side thereof, so as to lie adjacent the inner face of the upstanding lug 91, as seen in Fig. 4, thus'locking the crank-1;.

head and its shaft 86 i n a position with ,the latcharm 98 .swung away from the depending leg 51-of the register controlling element. Hence when the projected carton is removed from theshelfthejlateh rod 92 is instantly moved rearward -to lock thelatch arm in its outer position. At this juncture the squared portion @0. of `the shaft- 65) fis clear 'of-f the bracket .liandfthe notched disk 75 the re0n is engaged ivi-'ithA the forward, IOCkIlgy Clog @77. Consequently theA carriage f zannotl be pushed rear-.Ward'nntil the shaft (9 has beenp'roperly turned to e'lect the registryfof the notch 800 ofthe disk with the notch 'of Vthe dog .''f T}1e turning of the shaft (SS'and'the cam Vwheel by means of thehandle 67, permits the descent of the .register controlling element, and, consequently,:oftheistack of articles supported thereon until the loyvermost article restson the .shelf bar, which article, bearing against the inclined .yielding arm 103 vwhen the car riage is pushed rearward, effects the unlocking of the crank head 89. y

As the shaft 69, approaches the limit of its semirotation, the stud 101 of the collar 102 on .such shaft passes under the toe 100 ofthe dog 98 and disengages the latter from the stud of the shaft..` This done, the carriage, with the register controlling element in vdovqn position, can be 'forcibly pushed revanvvardly.V s the carriage approaches the limit o fits rearward travel,- the lug 90 of thepiank-Ehea'd 89 passes under ,the latch head 93 of the dogfi .andthe latch jhead, drops front of the lng. At the same time the carriageisfioclred in place in readiness for a succeedix'ig `forward delivery operation, as previously explained.

From the foregoing it will be seen that if any article delivered by the carriage be removed from and then replaced on the shelf 24, before the semi-rotation of the handle 67 'to ei'l'ect the unlocl-:ing of the carriage, such article upon its being-returned to the shelf 44, will retract the locking rod 92 against the action of the spring 105, thus releasing the erarikheacl.` Upon such semi-rotation the stud 101 of the collar 102 will ride under the toe 100 of the dog 98, thus disengaging the latter from the stud 97 of the shaft 86; whereupon this shaft will be instantly moved by the action ofthe spring 88 to throw the latch arm 87 under the leg 51 of the register controlling element, thus retaining' such element in raised positon. This done, the carriage, with the elevated register controlling element and the returned carton, can be pushed; rearward untilI the disk 75 o'n the shaft G9 engages and islocked by the rearward dog'` 76. In the rearward movement of the carriage jche latch arm 8'( remains under the ch'na'tefl register controlling element and the latter .supports the superposed stack of cartons in "theA magazzne until the element escapesthe stack, whereupon the returned carton on'theshelf 44 is hroughtunderthe stack. The operation vof releasing. the carriage and pulling it, .forwardisthe same as pre-Y mbe engaged battelli; lithebyleskhg' the latch arm in outwar l position vagainst xvthe actionoithe At this'junoture as the forward motion of thef ,carriage is l con.

timed the 'squaiedfprtion 7.o l of the shaft 69is, entered in. the 'bearing 71, and hence the register controlling glement is maintained in ,its elevated position ,until it y'completes' the foryard delivery stroke., lfthe article'then be renionjed frointhe shelf'plate '44,',(and not ret iirned) ,the "latch Q 'rod will engage the jlil g lofthe cranlghead 8Q`axiidloclgfthe latch arm ih, ifs elle?? ntifanfsethaf .elfen te?. handle is 'again Lproperly'iaotiated,: preparator to the' neitsuocedin'gliwvand increment 'o the CIIngQ, th' register. 'controllin element will be lowered;'as'preyiously',deseri ed.

[A counterfor, registering' device .R of .any nsualorap x ported at t enfrontofhthemachine and is adaptedto be operatedl by and during each succeeding inward Aor rearward travel ofthe carriage, Whenand only whenan article has beenremoved-from'thefshelf 44 and has not been returnedthereto, thusfconsecutively indicating or registering the niunber of articles which have been delivered and actually taken away. In the present instance the usual unit shaft 106 of thecounterlor register is providedat one end with@ crank 107 having a pin and slot connection 108 with the depending a rn1, l09 of acrank lever which is actuable to oscillate the crank and shaft 106 at pro er inter'jvals' f,"

his operating 'lejv'erl 'maintained 1n its primed or set position against the` action of a sutablydisposed spring 110, by means of a latchcomprising an angle arm 1,11 fast on a rock-shaft 112 lwhich `is journaled in a bracket 113t on a 'forward extension 'l14 of the base bar 37. Thelfipper end of thelatch arm extendsfreely througha s lot in the base and is formed with arecessed portion I115 n'hich'engagesthe free end of the horizontal arm 116,01? the crank'lever in a manner to holdit in raisedposition against the action of the spring 110.V (S-eeFig. 19). The latch of the leg l'of'the regieter'controlling :ele-

ment whenA 'the lat-ter is loweredat thelfrontV of `the lmachine-"as 'previously described.

Hence when the register controlling element' descends, preparatory to its rearward travel after the delivery and permanent 'removal' of an v'article from`the`i'iui'chiri'e,Y the lleg 51h impinges against andforcibl'y 'depresses the" plunger 119,'as seen inFig'. 20,'thereby cor-1- respondingly moving'the leverarm-l118 and; perfor'ce, swinging the latch arm 111 from the lever arm116', thus p'riiiiing'lor setting 'the' unit shaft'p'ieparatory to-a registering op-f eration. When the'leg 51, in the rearwardl travel ofthe carriage, escapes the plungerV 1 "9 the plunger is moved upward andthe arm 111 is swung forward bythe reaction of the spring 117, as 'seen in Fidi'. 21. Y' A lrearwardly exte'nding'dnnger 190 aliiked to the front portion of the carriage consti-1 tutes' a simple formI of 'register-actuating' mechanism. AThis finger is constructed and arranged to pass under and bear-against a lateral roll 1,2Gvon the upperarin 116'` of the operating lever as the carriage'approaches. the limit of its rearward tra-vel, thereby rais'- iug the arm 116 to a position where the latch arm 111 snaps into engagement with the'op posing end of the arm 116, as seen in'Fig. 22. Coincidentally, the unit shaft'106 of the register is actuated to effect the requisite step of the number or indicating element of the register, thus ensuring the positive checking of each article which has been actually removed from themachine. Then the carriageis pulled forward or outward to deliver an article the finger 190 is distant from the roll 120, and hence the registering devices lare in proper condition for a succeeding operation when the register controlling element is next lowered at the front of the machine.

The machine may embody any suitable signaling device, aural orvisual, which is automatically actuated when the mechanism is manually operated todeliver an article. In thc present instance a. bell is arranged and adapted to be sounded wh'en'the carriage is being pulled outward. The body .121 of the bell'is suitably mounted at the back of the frame structure adjacent the base, and the cla pper lever 122 thereforisfulcrumedto 'the base bar 37 of the stationary frame, a suit- :ably-disposed spring 123 maintaining the acting 4end of the levernormally in contact with the hell body. The vertically movable operating pin 124 for the lever is guided in an aperture in-ithe"bar-3Tandis provided at its upperendl with "a lbevelled lhead 1125 upon which-'idly'lrides-'a'.iby-pass pavvl V-1246'- on the depending. bracket 68` of-the" carriage whenv the carriageapproaches' the lfim'it'of its rearward travel: iInLthe?Z initial l 'forward movenientof thecarriagethe pawl 126 bears upon-V the inclined head125 andidepresses it, thus swinging the lacting*e'nd'fof the "'clapper lever awayl'fron thebll body against' the action of the spr-ing17123,-v A'IjIence 'W'hilthe ',pawl escapes theiheaglflz the latter AVis'free, and, consequently; the-'spring "snapsy the clapper lever sharply-'against theZ bell Ajbfody, thus sounding thegb'e'll.' (See lFigs: 1,"'2 ,`3 and 4.) i fei" iin'pl'e and efficient? means to indicate Jthe deplet-in; for neard1`,p:letio'n,` of the edntents f of' fa' 'magazinegwe 'inount in bearings- 127 on'oile offtli'f'froht'side bars- 28'of eachtinagfzine'f afjv'er 4ical rock-shaft V128 to which -is affixed, at j ia suitable -height from the shelf44,ai"plate A129,"'beaiixg a 'suitable notice, as, for example',` "Eestock, which may beswun'g toward 'ahdfroiii the front of the magazine. A torsional spring'130 encircling the shaftf128j-and having one end securedft the ladja'eentbearing and the other end" pressingagainst*thev sign plate tends normally to sw-ing 4'thel plate jtol a'n exposed position aross' thejfront -of the magazine. "hen tliestack (if-cartns 'extends to or above the fpla'te, the" cartn contiguous thereto holds 'the 'plate ,in *retracted hidden vposition against'the actionof the spring 130, but when theuppe'rm'ost" carton :descendsfbelow and escapes 'the plate,-v ,tlie latter, being unrestrained, 'is swung forwardwby the spring. The lower end ofthe shaft'128is preferably provided with an, electric contact foot 131 which, when the sign plate'is swung forward, electrically c'onnects'the broken contacts 132 of an electric circuit 133, in which an electric belllt, or other signaling device` is included at any convenient locati'omthus completing the circuit and giving a suitable signal to indicate that lthe contents of the magazine should be replenished. (See Figs. .9 and 18) It is to be understood that our invention is not. limited tolthe exemplifying embodiment thereof herein disclosed, as the mechanisms may be modified within the principle of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

le claim- 1. In an article dispensing apparatus, the combination with means for successively supplying articles, of article delivery mechanism movable to article receiving and delivering positions, means for locking and unlocking said delivery mechanism in its delivery position, a registering mechanism, and means associated with said delivery mechanism for effeet-ing vthe operation of said registering mechanism when an article is delivered by and removed from the delivery mechanism,

Sil)

mesaoe said 'last-named means including-ail l elementwhich isinovable into co-operativef'ielati'on-f to the registering mechanism d-uring the'iunv locking of the delivery mechanismfwhen thedelivery mechanism is in'delivering' position'.--

In an article' dispensing' apparatus," th e combination with means for successively s up" plyin'g' articles, of article deliveryA me'chn' nism' movable to article receiving a .nd'de liverl 'z ing positions, ai registering imechani's'rmand; meansfassociated with said delivery mechaf nism `for effecting the Operationof said regis-'1 tering mechanismwvhenv anarticle 'is' delivered by 'and removed from the delivery mechanism, saidlastlnamed means including an'ielement" which' is' movable into ico-operative'relatiotdthe'4 registering 'mechanism when' thedelivery? mechanism 'is in deliveringposition,"aild n'l' cluding also latclling devices which'are'main-"i tained 'in disengaging relationto said elementby an"Vv article borne on'thedlivery mecha!A nisncl* .n.'tm Y f`=`f ".'llunj'if'' fr:

3. In an article'dispensing apparatusfthe combination with means for successivelyfsu'p-f' plyingfarticles, of'article delivery mechanism" movable' to articlereceiving and delivering* positions', means for locking and unlocking said deliveryf mechanism in both positions, a registering mechanismj'and ine'ans'associ'- ate'd with the delivery mechanism for effect# ing'theoperation of said registering'fniechalnism, said last-named m'eansfinc'luding"'a'.'n'eleft ment-which'is movable'in't'o co-'ope'rative 'rev lation to the registering im i'x'zh'aiiism :during the unlocking of the"`de liver'y mechanism'v when'the 4latter mechanismis iirdelivering' pogtiom c, Y M. i l.

4i In an article dispensing apparatus,'-'the` combination with means for successively supplying articles, of article delivery mechanism movable to article receiving and deliveringr positions, means for locking and unlocking' said delivery mechanism in both positions,- a registering mechanism', and means associated with the deliver;r mechanism for ,eifectingthe operation of said registering mechanism, said last-named means including an element which is movable into co-operative relationl to the registering mechanism during the unlocking of the delivery nieclianismwlien the' latter mechanism is m delivering' position, and including also latching devices' for said element which are under the influence of an article borne on the delivery mechanism.

5. In an article dispensing apparatus, thc combination 'with a magazine, of article delivery mechanism, including a supp0rt for the lowermost article contained in the magazine, a register controlling element vertically movable with respect to said support, 4said element4 having an elongated topy O llion constructed and arranged topass un er and sustain the contents of the magazine during the de ry operation of said mechanism, means for locliing and unlocking said delivery mech-A anisni inarticle receiving and delivering ,po'- sitions, means for operating said elementdu ring the unlocking operation in thearticle delivering position, and a registering' mecl1anism actuable' during the movement of the delivery =mech anism from delivering 'to receiving position, said'registering mechanism including'amember 'which is operable bythe lowering of the controlling element' Wheat-he delivery mechanism is vin delivering position.

:6.--In'anfarticle dispensing' apparatus, the combination 4With ama'gazine, of article de'-l livery mechanism," including'v a.I 'support for the'lowermost 'article contained in the magazine,- a-register' controlling' element vertically'niovable-l vith'rspectto said support, said element having an elongated top po'rtioiconstructed anti-arranged to' p 'ass under fandsu's tain the "contents" of the magazine during the delivery'operation of said?mechanism,I means for temporarily retaining the controlling "elel ment' in' raised position, saidl means including a" latch devicey under the ,influence lof an -article borne on'f the delivery mechanism, means for locking and unlocking said delivery mechanismv in article receiving nd'delive'ring po; sitions, meansfor operating said element during the unlocking operation, and a registering mechanism actuable during the movement of the' 'delivery mechanism from"delivering to, receiving positioms'ziid re'fri'stering mechanism' in'c'luding'i member "willich is operable bythe :lowering ,of the'said controllingele ment'during 'the unlocking :fof the 'delivery mechanism-when vthe latter mechanism' is in delivering position. 'i 1 l 7." In 'an 'article :dispensing apparatus` the combination with'means for successively supplying 'articles' to be delivered of a delivery mechanism includingan article support, a register controlling clement, and a register actuating member, means for locki and unlocking said mechanism in receiving and delivering positions, including devices for iudependcntly operating thc said element when an article'is presented by and removed from the support, registering mechanismin cooperative relation to the said' element and actuating" member, and article-controlled means associated with saidsupport to'prevent 'thefe'iie'citfivei operation of sai d clement when'the support, with an article imposed thereon, is in delivering position.

8. Inan article dispensing apparatus, the combination with means. for success-heh' supplying'articles, ci article'delivery mechanism including a support for eachsi receding article, and a Iregister controlling element movable relatively to said support, manuallyfoperativemeans yfor locking and unlock ing said delivery mechanisminreceiving and delivering positions, said means including devices for operating said controlling `elcnient during the unlocking of the delivery mechanism, and registering mechanism arcluding devices fer operating said contro ling element during the unlocking of the delivery mechanism, means under the inluence of an article on said support for 'temporarily maintaining the controlling element in inetl'ective position during thc unlocking of the delivery mechanisnr and registering mechanism arranged in cti-operative relation to said delivery mechanism and including a member Vith which the said controlling element cooperates during the unlocking;r of the delivery mechanism in its delivering position when an article is removed from the support.

l0. In an article dispensing apparatus. the combination with means for successivelyv supplying articles, of larticle delivery mechanism including a support for each succeeding article, and a register controlling' elcment vertically movable with respect to said support, manuall voperative means for locking and unlocking said delivery mechanism in receiving and delivering positions, said means including devices for operating said controlling element during the unlocking of the delivery mechai '5111, and also including devices for raising sind element during the unlocking of the deliver)v mechanism at one limit of its travel and for permitting the descent of said element during the unlocking of the delivery mechanism at the other limit of its travel, and registering mechanism arranged in co-operative relation to said delivery mechanism and including a member will which the controlling clement co-opcrates` during its descent.

ll. In an article dispensing apparatus, the combination, with means for successively supplying articles, of article delivery mechanism includingr a support for each succeeding article, and a register controlling element vertically movable with respect to said support, manually-operative means for locking and unlockingr said delivery mechanism in receiving and delivering positions, said means including devices for operating said controlling element during the unlocking of the deliver)7 mechanism, and including also devices for raising said element during the unlocking of the delivery mechanism at one limit of its travel and for permitting the descent .oi-said element during the unlocking of the delivelyinechanism at the other limit of its travlehmeans under the influence `of anarticle on said support for temporarily maintaining the controlling element. in raised position during the unlocking of the delivery mechanisnnand registering mechanism arranged in co-operat-ive relation to said mechanismfand-including a member with which the controlling element cooperates during, the. unlocking of the delivery mechanism .in its delivering position when an article-is removed -from the support.

,12. In anarticle dispensing apparatus, theA combina ti'on .with meansfor successively supply-ingarticles, of article delivery mechanism includinga support for each succeeding article, anda register. controlling element.v vertically monable with respect to said support, manually-operative means for locking and unlocking ,said delivery mechanism in receiving and delivering positions, said means 'including devices for operating said controlling elementduring the unlocking of the delivery mechanism,- and including also devices for raising said element during the unlocking of the .delivery mechanism at one limit of its travel and for permitting the descent of said element during the unlocking of the delivery mechanism at the other limit of its travel, said last-named devices including a rotary shaft, a cam thereon, and operative connections between said cam and the controlling element, and registering mechanism arranged in co-operative relation to said delivery mechanism and including a member with which the controlling element co-operates during its descent.

13. In an article dispensing apparatus, the combination with means for successively supplying articles, of a reciprocative carriage including a support for each succeeding article, a shaft mounted on and extending longitudinally of said carriage, manual means for reciprocating,r said carriage and rotating said shaft, locking and unlocking devices for said carriage at each limit of its movement, said devices including a member fast on and rotatable with said shaft, a register controlling element mounted on said carriage and movable relatively to the said support, and connections between said shaft and the controlling element whereby the said element is operable independently of the carriage during the unlocking of the carriage, and registering mechanism arranged in co-operative relation to the carriage and including a member with which the controlling element co-opcrates during the unlocking of the delivery mechanism in its delivering position.

14. In an article dispensing apparatusl` the combination with means for successively supplying articles, of a reciprocative carriage including a support for each succeeding article, a shaft mounted on and extending longitudinally of said carriage, manual means for reciprocating said carriage and rotating said shaft, locking and unlocking devices for said carriage at each limit of its movement, said devices including a member fast on and rotatable with said shaft, a register controlling element mounted on said carriage and movable relatively to the said support, and connections between said shaft and the controlling element whereby the said element is operable independently of the carriage during the unlocking of the carriage, means under the influence of an article on said support for temporarily maintaining the controlling element in idle position during the unlocking of the carriage, and registering mechanism arranged in co-operative relation to the carriage, and including a member with which the controlling element co-opcrates during the unlocking of the carriage when an article is delivered by and removed from the support.

15. In an article dispensing apparatus,

the combination with means for successively supplying articles, of a reciprocative carriage including a support for each succeeding article, a shaft mounted on and extending longitudinally of said carriage, manual means for reciprocating said carriage and for rotating said shaft at each limit of its travel, means for preventing rotation of said shaft during its major traverse between said limits, locking and releasing devices for said carriage at each limit of its travel, a vertically movable register controlling element mounted on said carriage, connections between said shaft and the controlling element whereby the said element is operable independently of the carriage during the unlocking of the carriage, ieans under the inliuence of an article on said support for temporarily maintaining the controlling element in raised position during the unlocking of the carriage, and registering mechanism arranged in co-operative relation to the carriage and including a member with which the controlling element co-operates during the unlocking of the carriage when an article is ,delivered by and removed from the support.

16. In an article dispensing apparatus, the. combination with a magazine, of article delivery mechanism including a support for the lowermost article contained in the magazine, and means for actuating said mechanism and locking and unlocking it in receiving and delivering positions with respect to the magazine, said means including a manually-operative member, and locking devices operative automatically to lock the delivery mechanism at each limit of its movement, but manually operative to unlock said mechanism at either limit and simultaneously position the devices for automatically locking said mechanism atV the succeeding limit ofmove'ment', a registering mechanism in cooperative relation v.to said delivery4 mechanismi inileiendntly movablefegisr c011- trolj elementj'ion'f; ,jsaid'l delivery mechanism, means" n cludin'g" connections l'between said manually" foperative member' and; Asaid'feleinent,`f for' actuating. jsaid element :at thefrespective positions :of the delivery" mechanism, a latchdevice ,'fo'r "said element, and I'means underthe influence of anarticle borneon'the nlngsaid device ,in disanjarueleaipensjnlg apparatus, the

Supper for mehr" combi'riation,` with veansV for' successively 'supof l tive carriage ini nl. n: V- cruglin .a ,or for ach succeeding artil'c'lcf'a, l shaftfrn'oui'itedf on and I '1`iter'i-ding longitudina'liy: df said' carriage, 'Vinanual means for reci iro'catingsaid carriage and for rotati7* t haftet eachf limit of its'v` travel, nieans'for preventing; tation-[of said shaft major trai/'crise between saildliniits, locking and; releasing devices for said, carsage a en -Ch limit Ollie-,rma af artica-uy movable'` register controllingelenicf "',"1 I'1'o1ntv ed on s aid carriage, connections between said shaftfand the" controlling A'element vvhereby1 the said 'element isl operable independently of the`E ciuliagc,during` the lunlocking of the carriage', ineans-uirder{dief-influence of an article on said' support f'o'r' temporarily maintaining the controlling element in raised position during the unlocking of the carriage,

said last-named means including a latch member normally' urged into engaging relation to the elevated controlling element, and devices operable by an article on said sup port for lool-:ing said latch member in disengaging relation to the controlling element, and registering mechanism arranged in cooperative relation to'the carriage and including a member with which the controlling element co-operates during the unlocking or the carriage when an article is delivered by and removed from the support.

18. In an article dispensing apparatus. the combination with means for successivelyv supplying articles, of a reciprocat-ive carriage including a support for each succeeding ticle, a shaft mounted on and extending longitudinally of said carriage, manual means for reciprocating said carriage and also for rotating said shaft at each limit ci its travel, means for preventing rotation of said shaft during its major traverse between. said limits, locking and releasing devices for said carriage at each limit of its travel, a vertically movable register controlling element mounted on said carriage, conn ctions between said shaft and the controlling ecment whereby the said element is opel-aule independently of the carriage during the unl cking of the carriage, means under the influence of an article on said support for temporarily maintaining the controlling element in raised position, said last-named means' including a, latch member normally urged into engaging relation to the elevated controlling element, a rock shaft for said latch member, a crankflnead on said rock sliaft, a lock member for the crank-head, means adjacent the article support operable by the presence of an article thereon to maintain the lock member in idle position, a. stud 'on the rock shaft, a dog on the carriage with which said stud is engaged at the rearward position of the carnage, means on the shaftfor moving said dog and disengaging it from the stlid during the actof unlocking time carriage when the carriage is in its forward position, means for actuating the cranklxead to release the latch member-from the cont-rolling element during its initial forward or delivery stroke., and registering mechanism arranged in co-operatve rela tion to the carriage and including a member with which the controlling element co-operates during the unlocking of the carriage at the limit of its forward movement when an article is delivered by and removed from the support.

Signed at Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, this 25th day of June, A. D. 1929.

FRANK N. ROEHRICH. ALEX LEVINE. 

